Spirit Review Feb 06, 2016

[Medtech2]

We ate our fruit bowl in the cabin for breakfast. I sent DH down to guest services with a card concerning the fact that we had yet to get our Platinum packet. Instead of them dealing with it they said they'd give it to the Cruise Consultant...hmmmm, we'll see. We had booked Maya Chan and waited in the cabin to disembark.

 

We disembarked and followed the detailed instructions to meet Julieta from Maya Chan. Now, am I wrong but when you board a 9 passenger van shouldn't the 1st people move to the back? Instead people filled from the front so I had to crawl over them to get to the back. Awkward! I had insisted DH get the front seat because of his hip. Coming back was the same way, except DH went on the end of the middle row, which was doable for him and I again crawled to the back. Getting out a fellow would not move to the side and as I came out I missed the step and fell, badly knocking the inside of my shin. Owee! I ended up with a huge bruise the length of my lower inside leg. The ride to and fro was incredibly bumpy. The road was terrible and there were vast amounts of trash everywhere. I have never seen so much trash. I understand the people are poor but does that mean you use the world as your trash bin? How does that help you? The government here must provide very little services. Further, where does all the cruise money go? The places we passed were abysmal. The people here were so nice so it is just puzzling to me as to the state of the surrounding area.

 

Maya Chan was simple but nice. The property is well kept and we were immediately handed drinks and shown to our palapa. We had 2 adirondack chairs, a comfy bed that I did not lay on because I didn't want to get it wet or sandy, a string hammock, and a table. On a hot day it would be perfect but today the temperature was only 67 degrees. We were also given a huge tray of corn tortilla chips, pico de gallo, and guacamole, all very good. There were single seat blow up armchairs with cup holders to float in the water and a fellow would wade out to give people new drinks.

 

There were kayaks and snorkel gear available but the water was so stirred up from the storm you couldn't see anything. Once you got used to the water it was warmer than the air. Lunch was grilled beef, chicken, pork and sea bass with flour tortillas and fixings, plus charro beans. Everything was fresh and delicious! The day passed way too quickly with an early on board time of 3:30pm. We left Maya Chan at 2pm so that I could stop at a shop for vanilla for my co-workers. DH bought some Mexican ibuprofen from a pharmacy and I noticed they also had tramodol OTC. Interesting.

 

 

 

 

 

[Medtech2]

Our private palapa

 

 

 

they immediately gave us welcome drinks, tortilla chips and absolutely wonderful guacamole and pico de gallo

 

 

our waitress had this waiting for me at the bar as I walked by taking pictures

 

 

the treehouse, which had an electrical plug if you brought a charger

 

 

the view

 

[Medtech2]

glass bottom kayaks, 1 and 2 seaters

 

 

 

our palapa is at the very back of this picture. we were in a lovely corner secluded spot

 

 

In the armchair floats, with the Spirit in the background

 

 

 

the view looking to shore

 

[Medtech2]

the bar

 

 

the lovely abuelita who cooked our lunch

 

 

lunch is served

 

 

beef, chicken, pork and wonderfully fresh sea bass with home made tortilla shells and charro beans....yummy!!

 

 

[Medtech2]

the dining area

 

 

trying out kayaks

 

 

what happens when you eat, drink, and swim a lot

 

[Medtech2]

Costa Maya is a "town" built specifically for the cruise port...it's not really a town but is next to Mahahual

 

 

 

 

 

you pay a fee to have fish "groom" your feet

 

 

[Medtech2]

Returning to the ship we finally found our Platinum packet with the dinner coupons and such. I was extremely disappointed to find that one of the benefits, the Behind the Scenes Tour, had a deadline to sign up of Sunday night! Getting the packet on Monday was not acceptable.

 

I did not realize just how much paddling around had worn me out until I showered. I was exhausted.

 

Dinner was our Platinum reward at Le Bistro. Since we had the UBP we planned on taking the bottle of wine home. I had the Coquilles St Jacques, which was good but not great. DH had the escargot which he enjoyed. He had the swordfish and said it was very good. He also thought my filet was very good while I found it just okay. It was not that tender and was more medium than medium rare. The best part for me was the accompanying carrots. Dessert was a glass of port and creme brûlée, which I really enjoyed. This Le Bistro was pretty small and I actually had to switch seats when we first sat down as I felt a bit claustrophobic. Seating is banquet style which means you are basically sitting with your neighbor and 95% of the seats were oriented side to side on the ship, whereas I much prefer to face forward. The galley is open to the restaurant so you could see the cooking going on, but then you also had a view of a steel kitchen as part of your "French" decor.

 

 

coquilles st jacques

 

 

escargot

 

 

filet

 

 

creme brulee

 

[Medtech2]

We went to see a karaoke competition and I also finally went to the buffet to try a crepe. Crepe making is definitely an art and these fellows did not quite have it mastered. The best I have had was on my Sun cruise. That person made excellent melt in your mouth crepes and would decorate the tops. The Sun also had a chocolate fondue sauce available for the crepes that was to die for. The Spirit crepe station would also make savory crepes which appeared to be a favorite for the crew, who would fill a plate from the buffet of cheeses and other items for the fellow to fold into a crepe. Even the Captain stood in line to get one.

 

We saw the aerialist show at 9:30pm. It seemed to be more gymnastics to me, with a riff on the mermaid story. The couple did a great job but the show was about 20 minutes too long for me.

 

[Justaddvodka68]

I am loving your review. We go on the spirit in 38 days. Do you have menu for blue lagoon? Any food served at Biergarten?

 

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

 

I don't have a menu for Blue Lagoon, but we stopped for snacks after the casino every night.

 

There are chicken wings, hamburger, a tomato & prosciutto panini, wonton soup, fries, spinach artichoke dip. a few other things. Great for a late night snack though, as they're open later than anyone else.

 

The Biergarten has a buffet, the selections change. The two times I was up there they had an island bbq theme and one day burgers and brats.

[johnnewlon]

I have twin 9 year olds - who turn 10 on our trip... any suggestions for the best family eating on the ship (including grandparents in their late 70's)?

 

See dmg1956 - I'm learning! :D

[Medtech2]

I have twin 9 year olds - who turn 10 on our trip... any suggestions for the best family eating on the ship (including grandparents in their late 70's)?

 

See dmg1956 - I'm learning! :D

The mid-ship dining room should satisfy everyone for dinners. There's always the buffet and Shogun had Asian food...

[johnnewlon]

The mid-ship dining room should satisfy everyone for dinners. There's always the buffet and Shogun had Asian food...

 

Thanks - my kids aren't too picky about their food... So I think we'll try them all! :)

[suzannebander]

We will be sailing on the Spririt in March so thanks for sharing your review :)

Do you have any dailies you can share?

 

Suzanne

 

NCL Spirit Spring Break 2016

NCL Breakaway Spring Break 2014

NCL Star Spring Break 2012

[Medtech2]

We will be sailing on the Spririt in March so thanks for sharing your review :)

Do you have any dailies you can share?

 

Suzanne

 

NCL Spirit Spring Break 2016

NCL Breakaway Spring Break 2014

NCL Star Spring Break 2012

I'll try to upload them but are you on the Western Itinerary? They won't be helpful, really, unless you are on the same itinerary we did.

[Medtech2]

I want to say "you're welcome" to all who thanked me and thank you to all who are following along!

 

I have had to work every day and have been too exhausted to continue and I know it is frustrating when people drag these things out...so sorry about that...

[Medtech2]

First thing this morning we tried the stretching class. Hard to do with bad knees and hips. Then we hit the hot tub while it was fresh. Several dark clouds went by and it was quite chilly. The sun came out as the morning continued. We stopped by the Cruise Consultant desk to ask about the BTS tour but were told by the assistant that the tour was full and it was doubtful. I then approached the Concierge, Florentina, to see if she could do anything. Surely there was more than one tour as there were probably a number of Platinum and Suite guests who were entitled to a tour. She said she would check but she thought the tour was already in progress as it usually occurred the morning of Grand Cayman

 

After breakfast we returned to the cabin to relax. As we approached Grand Cayman Captain Roger came on the speaker to inform us that due to the winds and the swells coming from the same northerly direction the port authorities had denied mooring. Apparently there was another mooring area that was elsewhere that could only accommodate 3 ships and we had been beat into port already. I recognized a whale tail but not the other 2. The Captain sounded perturbed as he said the authorities could have let him know last night and he could have made other plans, perhaps being one of the ships to make it there first. He said he would be in the Atrium to answer questions and told everyone NOT to vent to Guest Services, as they not only have no control over the matter but also would not be able to answer technical questions.

 

Meanwhile Gio came on the com to say they were coming up with activities. Now, you'd think they would already have contingency plan activities in place, but that's just me, mainly because I work in a hospital with back up plans for back up plans that can be implemented within minutes.

 

I went up top to get pictures of Grand Cayman as we sailed by and checked out the pool barbecue, the first I had seen actually happen due to all the high winds and weather we'd been having. There were pork chops and little sausages. The chops were tough and I enquired about hamburgers or chicken but was told they would not have those. The grilled vegetables were still raw and cold. I did stop by the bar to get a Bushwhacker. I like the Mudslide better.

 

 

 

 

panorama

 

[Medtech2]

Gio came on the outside intercom to announce some activities. You could not hear him from the cabin. They had used the cabin intercoms earlier and in this instance, when activities are not listed in the Daily, I think they should use the room coms. DH went to see the movie Spectre, in the Stardust Theatre and I joined him about an hour in. From there we went to Bandaoke, where no one seemed willing to participate, so DH performed 2 songs. He performed admirably considering the song list was limited in scope, with no songs really suitable for a baritone.

 

We went back to the cabin and then tried the Garden MDR, which was located midship so had no discernible movement. I had the rack of lamb, which was pretty darn good and DH had the chateaubriand, which was very tender and DH enjoyed. For dessert I ordered a glass of Chambord to go with the Chocolate Lava Cake. If you have not tried this combination you should definitely try it as it was absolutely divine.

 

We went to the 7:30pm show, Soul Rockin' Nights, which was a song and dance show with the Spirit show band and no canned music. It was very good and spot on, with talented performers. After, DH went to watch Karaoke and I again went back to the cabin. He also went to see VIP play 80's music but said some of their selections were not easy for people to dance to so he came back to the cabin.

 

chateaubriand

 

 

rack of lamb

 

 

lava cake with chambord, oh my

 

[NLH Arizona]

Enjoyed your review - thanks.

[Medtech2]

We specifically made no plans for today and enjoyed a leisurely breakfast. We were docked at a different pier than we have been to before. The Getaway was docked at the main pier and I enjoyed seeing her as we approached.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Medtech2]

 

 

 

 

[Medtech2]

We walked downtown to find the Greek Restaurant we had visited before but, alas, it was boarded up. We wandered through a public park, Turtle River Park. Some kids were playing on the playground and that was about it. We found an out of the way restaurant and got 2 Red Stripes in exchange for the wifi password. The signal wasn't bad to check facebook but it kept kicking me off when I tried to use wifi calling. The Red Stripe made me queasy and I left to walk towards the ship while DH paid. (Interestingly Dos Equis does not do that to me). I told him I might duck into a shop so look for me but somehow when he exited he went left instead of right. I spent a lot of time walking back and forth looking for him. I passed Gio on the street and he had not seen him so I walked back to the restaurant but he was gone. I walked halfway back to the ship and then just stood there with my umbrella open. BTW, maybe it's a Southern thing, but umbrellas make handy parasols against the sun. I don't like sunscreen as I am so sensitive so this works great for me.

 

 

 

the only turtles we saw--little guys

 

 

 

 

[Medtech2]

 

 

believe it or not, this was pretty good back then

 

 

 

 

the reason you should be careful about which excursion you book--packed like sardines!

 

[endymion6942]

I have been on Spirit 3 previos sailings and am doing a 4th in December.

Your writing a really great review.

I especially like all the pics of Maya Chan. I am sure that Mark and Jane appreciate it. I have been to Maya Chan 9 times and consider it my home away from home in Mexico.

[Medtech2]

By this time DH was sweating. We had finally gotten some decent weather! We stopped for some ice cream and bought a few souvenirs, including Appleton Rum, which we had never tried. We were asked literally every 3 feet if we wanted a tour or ride or hair braiding. You'd think if they see you say no to one they would get the message but no, maybe we'd change our minds in 2 steps, lol. It didn't really bother me and I wished everyone a nice day.

 

Arriving back at the ship DH went up to the hot tub while I took a leisurely shower. I don't normally use a bath robe at home but something about wrapping myself in the thick NCL bath robe and lounging around the cabin is just so decadently nice.

 

We did afternoon trivia and then Name That Tune.

 

Dinner was at La Trattoria. I was not impressed. It is basically a screened off portion of the buffet and hence was long and narrow, and no real Italian decor. Platinum gets you one starter, one entree, and one dessert, which means you can have a main dish meat OR a pasta dish, but not both. I had the Osso Bucco, which was fork tender, and I substituted the eggplant for the polenta. The eggplant was rolled around some chopped veggies, breaded and fried. It was served over an extremely scant portion of marinara so was very dry. I would have preferred more sauce, and a side of pasta. DH had the ribeye, which was huge and he enjoyed it but it was not very tender. The tiramisu was mostly cream and very little lady fingers and I just could not eat it as it was making me queasy. We exited into the buffet and I picked up a packet of butter and a packet of brown sugar and gave them to the crepe guy to make a simple crepe. Much better!

 

ribeye

 

 

osso bucco

 

 

sunset

 

[Medtech2]

osso bucco, retry

 

 

We watched the end of the Spirit Show Band's jazz show and then went to Karaoke. I tried it for the 1st time and was not too bad. I've heard worse and I've definitely heard better, lol, but everyone clapped and was supportive. We ended up skipping the comedian. He just was not funny during the Welcome Aboard Show so it was easy to make the decision. Again we were too tired to make the dance party. It was the White Hot and not a Glow party and we had brought neon yellow shirts.

 

The ship was vibrating tremendously through the night as our towel swan was literally shaking and the bathroom door rattling.